"Tsuna and the others have dealt with the four reanimated individuals. They said they'll be here soon."
In the Land of Rain, a place perpetually shrouded in gloom, Hashirama slowly deactivated Sage Mode.
Not far away, the massive form of Two-Tails lay pinned beneath the Red Torii Gates, completely unable to resist. The beast thrashed in frustration, its deep growls echoing through the air.
"Then we'll wait for them."
"Judging by the distance, the ones coming for Two-Tails should be arriving soon."
"I'd like to see who else Madara has under his control."
Tobirama frowned slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Standing tall beside Hashirama, his face was etched with unwavering disdain, as if permanently carved into his features.
As the creator of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, he couldn't help but feel that everything happening now was nothing short of an absurd farce.
"Have you forgotten how you died?"
"Control your temper. Never underestimate your enemy."
Mito's cold voice cut through the air, dousing him like a bucket of ice water.
"If Kinkaku and Ginkaku hadn't ambushed me, do you really think they could have taken me down?"
Tobirama flared up instantly, his temper igniting like a powder keg. His eyes burned with frustration.
Hashirama sighed, rubbing his forehead. His wife and his younger brother were still the same as always.
Could they not show him a little respect and get along for once?
"Heh, and that's exactly the problem—you never took those two brothers seriously."
"If you had been more cautious, you wouldn't have let yourself get ambushed so easily."
A flicker of pain crossed Mito's eyes. Back when she first heard the news of Tobirama's death, she had grieved for a long time.
Now that she had the chance, she wouldn't let him off without a proper scolding. Otherwise, the frustration she'd held onto all these years wouldn't truly fade.
"How could I have predicted that they'd go so far as to sacrifice the Second Raikage just to get to me?"
Tobirama's voice softened slightly. Thinking back, he had to admit—his mindset back then had been flawed.
"You learn from your mistakes. Don't make the same one twice."
Mito's voice carried weight, but her gaze softened.
Tobirama said nothing more, and silence settled between them.
The only sounds were the howling wind and the occasional enraged roar from Two-Tails.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen—the only living person among them—stood stiffly, not daring to utter a word.
He wished he could disappear entirely.
Lady Mito, could you not scold Sensei in front of me?
If I get dragged into this, am I even going to make it out alive?
He was terrified that Mito would bring up all the questionable things he had done and use them to berate Tobirama.
After all, it was Tobirama himself who had personally named him Hokage.
If Mito were to call Tobirama blind in his judgment of people… well, she wouldn't exactly be wrong.
Luckily, the nightmare scenario never came to pass, and Hiruzen let out a silent sigh of relief.
Just as the tension eased, Mito's expression suddenly shifted—her gaze turning razor-sharp.
"They're here."
"Left front."
Almost at the same time, Hashirama also called out the direction. Their sensory abilities were practically on par.
"Summoning Technique!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi reacted swiftly, forming hand seals at high speed.
With a puff of white smoke, Enma appeared.
"Lord First? Lord Second?"
"And Lady Mito?"
"What is this?"
Enma froze in place, completely confused by the situation. His furry face was full of uncertainty.
"Long time no see," Hashirama and the others greeted Enma with a smile, but quickly readied themselves for battle.
"There's no time to explain," Hiruzen said, his expression serious.
"Come on!"
Understanding immediately, Enma let out a mighty roar. His massive form instantly transformed into the Adamantine Staff, landing firmly in Hiruzen's hands.
"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Without waiting for the enemy to approach, Tobirama took the initiative.
He rapidly formed hand seals, then unleashed a massive torrent from his mouth.
In an instant, the rushing water spread into an enormous lake, surging forward like an unstoppable force.
The deafening roar of the water echoed through the battlefield, like the tolling of a death knell.
As a shinobi who had mastered Water Release, Tobirama's control over it was nothing short of terrifying.
The waves surged ahead, sweeping across everything in his field of vision.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Rampart!"
A deep, commanding voice rang out, and suddenly, the earth trembled violently.
Dust and debris shot into the air as a towering earthen wall rose from the ground with unstoppable force.
The wall stood tall and immovable, like an unbreakable fortress.
The overwhelming wave crashed into it with a thunderous roar.
Clashing water sprayed in all directions, each droplet hitting with the force of a bullet.
For a moment, the entire battlefield was drenched in a torrential downpour, the air thick with mist.
"I never thought I'd see you here," a deep voice called out from atop the wall.
"Tobirama Senju."
Tobirama narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of surprise flashing through them.
"Ishikawa?"
He quickly recognized the old man—the First Tsuchikage and founder of Iwagakure.
"Not just him," Hashirama stepped forward, his gaze sharp.
"First Raikage, Byakuren, Reto… Madara really gathered some impressive allies."
The First Five Kage had assembled!
"None of us have any desire to fight you," Byakuren, the First Mizukage, said as he leapt down from the wall. His scarred face and sharp teeth were twisted in reluctant acceptance.
"But we have no control over our bodies."
"Forgive us."
His voice carried deep frustration, yet he had no choice.
Landing on the lake's surface, Byakuren moved at blinding speed. White waves surged around him, forming a protective current as he charged forward.
"Being controlled like this is disgusting."
"Wind Release: Storm Cannon!"
Reto, the First Kazekage, cursed under his breath, pain flashing in his eyes.
He quickly formed hand seals, then exhaled a high-density sphere of compressed wind.
The sphere shot forward like a cannonball, whistling through the air at incredible speed.
As it skimmed across the lake's surface, it stirred up massive water tornadoes.
The vortexes spun violently, roaring like beasts, their suction and cutting force capable of shredding anything caught within them.
Even a reanimated body would take considerable time to recover if trapped inside.
"Hashirama!"
The First Raikage's expression flickered before his eyes suddenly lit up with excitement.
Letting out a loud shout, he leaped from the wall.
His expression was wild, almost joyful—like he had just reunited with an old friend.
"Madara?"
Though the voice was the Raikage's, the tone and mannerisms were unmistakable.
Hashirama saw through it instantly.
No one else could exude such a familiar presence.